Arts: Tax Allowances

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he last discussed with the Chancellor of the Exchequer the provision of tax incentives for arts philanthropy.

Jeremy Hunt: I regularly discuss a broad range of issues with Treasury colleagues. On 29 June my Department, HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs jointly published a consultation document on gifts of pre-eminent objects and works of art to the nation. This is a significant new incentive to arts philanthropy which was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), in the Budget.

Historic Buildings: Repairs and Maintenance

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the cost of reducing the rate of VAT on repairs on listed buildings and heritage assets other than places of worship.

Jeremy Hunt: I regularly meet with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), to discuss a wide range of issues. However, VAT is a matter for Her Majesty's Treasury.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the number of tickets for the London 2012 Olympics allocated to disabled people.

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has made no such assessment. The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) aims to make the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games the most accessible and inclusive possible. As part of this commitment, it has ensured that disabled people have the same level of access to tickets to the Games as non-disabled people.
	LOCOG integrated its ticketing website to allow visually-impaired people to buy tickets like everyone else, using a screen reader or other assistive technology and without needing to make a phone call. LOCOG is providing a high number of wheelchair spaces (with a free companion seat) at each venue with accessible ticketed seats all around the new venues rather than in segregated areas. Ticket applicants were also enabled to select seats up fewest stairs or at the end of a row.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with sponsors of the London 2012 Olympics on the use of their ticket allocation.

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has had no discussions with sponsors about their tickets. 75% of tickets are available through the UK public application process. Only 8% of tickets are allocated for sponsors and stakeholders to purchase, many of which will be available for their staff or public competitions.

Olympic Games 2012: Tickets

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he plans to discuss the arrangements for applying for tickets with the organisers of the London 2012 Olympics.

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has regular meetings with the London 2012 Organising Committee to be updated about arrangements for the staging of the Games (including ticketing) and will continue to do so.

Public Libraries

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to publish guidance to local authorities on local community involvement in the delivery of public library services.

Jeremy Hunt: On 16 June 2011 I wrote to Leaders of local authorities making them aware of a study published by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council on models of local community involvement in the delivery of public library services. The study can be found at the following link:
	http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/policy_development/communities/Community_management_and_community_ ownership

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) is currently taking forward the installation of a Biomass Boiler at our East Kilbride site, which should be completed by-December 2011. This will reduce our carbon emissions from gas usage at this site by more than 50% as all emissions from the Biomass are carbon neutral. We have already significantly reduced our carbon emissions from gas usage by installing a green roof.
	DFID has also worked closely with the Carbon Trust to carry out initial feasibility reports for low carbon technologies such as a wind turbine, solar panels and tri-generation boilers. We are currently working with them to identify appropriate new technologies as part of our long term strategy to minimise the carbon emissions from our estate.

Developing Countries: Females

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the development results framework contained in (a) the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality, and (b) the Empowerment of Women strategic plan for 2011 to 2013.

Andrew Mitchell: The UK has strongly supported the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, known as UN Women, since its creation. UN Women's strategic plan was formally adopted on 30 June 2011. The UK supports the priority areas outlined in the plan. For example, tackling violence against girls and women and increasing women's economic empowerment and leadership will prove vital in improving the lives of millions. We will continue to work closely with UN Women to ensure its work will deliver results to improve the lives of girls and women across the world.

Developing Countries: Tuberculosis

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the potential effects of drugs, vaccines and diagnostics on the levels of tuberculosis in developing countries.

Stephen O'Brien: The contribution of new drugs and technologies on the levels of tuberculosis (TB) in developing countries could be significant, but there are limitations. While most TB patients can be cured with present drug regimens, the 2050 elimination target is far more likely to be achieved with a combination of improved diagnostics, drugs and vaccines that can detect and treat both latent TB infection and active disease. Recent modelling for the WHO has suggested that a combination of a neonatal pre-exposure TB vaccine, a two-month treatment regimen effective against drug-susceptible and resistant strains of TB, and a novel point-of-care diagnostic test could potentially reduce the incidence of TB by 71%. There are, however, questions remaining about the effect of these in high HIV prevalent areas.

Developing Countries: Tuberculosis

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department has taken to support the development of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines to diagnose, prevent and treat tuberculosis; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of such steps.

Stephen O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting a number of product development partnerships to encourage industrial development of new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines for tuberculosis. This includes support to the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND); the Global Alliance for TB Drugs; and the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation. These initiatives are making progress. For instance, FIND has helped develop a new diagnostic for rapid detection of TB ('GenXpert'). This may help shorten the time to diagnosis and cut transmission, thus preventing new cases in future. FIND are also working on how they can adapt these tools for use in more peripheral settings.

Israel: Religious Freedom

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the ability of each religious community in Israel to (a) exercise its faith, (b) to observe its (i) holidays and (ii) weekly day of rest and (c) to administer its internal affairs; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Government strongly support the right to freedom of religion or belief. Our embassy in Tel Aviv routinely raise concerns about freedom of religion or belief with the Israelis.
	We have received no evidence of any problems for religious groups within green line Israel. Most of the problems that different religious groups suffer in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories stem from the ongoing occupation and the mutual mistrust that characterises Israeli-Palestinian relations. This is one of the reasons why we lay so much emphasis on resolving the conflict. The only way to resolve the conflict is via the two state solution and we urge both parties to return to negotiations.
	Israel's Declaration of Independence guarantees freedom of religion for all Israel's inhabitants. However, we remain deeply concerned about restrictions on freedom of movement between the west bank and east Jerusalem. It remains difficult for Palestinians to enter east Jerusalem for work, education, medical treatment or religious worship. We have lobbied the Israelis hard on the issue of movement and access.

Sudan: Politics and Government

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the renewal of public consultations on the constitutional future of the South Kordofan region in Sudan.

Henry Bellingham: The African Union High Level Implementation Panel facilitated talks in Addis Ababa have resulted in framework agreements on Southern Kordofan, Abyei and border monitoring. I commend the parties for coming together and setting this first milestone. However, much more needs to be done. The Framework Agreement on Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile provides for the completion of the popular consultation process that formed a part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. However, for civilians to take part in consultations and talks on their own future, they must have freedom of movement and speech so they can participate fully and freely. As this is not the case at the moment, I urge all sides to create an environment where public consultations can be frank and without intimidation.

Sudan: Violence

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of violence in the South Kordofan region of Sudan; and what discussions he has had with the UN regarding the protection of residents of the South Kordofan region after 9 July 2011.

Henry Bellingham: Recent reports suggest that violence is continuing in many parts of Southern Kordofan. There are reports of aerial attacks by Sudanese armed forces; of abuses against civilians carried out by soldiers from both sides and of civilians being caught up in the violence. The UK condemns the ongoing violence and calls all parties to cease hostilities immediately. The recent framework agreement on Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile is a step in the right direction but must lead to a ceasefire without delay, so that humanitarian aid can reach those in need, and talks on the future of Southern Kordofan can take place without continuing violence.
	We are actively involved in discussions with the UN about its future presence in Sudan and South Sudan. We are encouraging the Government of Sudan to allow the UN mission in Sudan (UNMIS) to remain in Southern Kordofan after 9 July, so that it can continue to protect civilians caught up in the conflict. We are pressing the UN to ensure that, should the Government of Sudan require UNMIS to leave on 9 July, all possible arrangements are made to ensure continuity of humanitarian assistance.

Syria: Politics and Government

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed with his Syrian counterpart allegations of intimidation of protestors outside the Syrian embassy in London.

William Hague: I refer the right hon. Member to my statement to the House on 29 June 2011. Official Report, columns 964-65.

ATOS

Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) role and (b) function is of the Independent Tier dealing with individual complaints against work contracted to Atos by his Department; and which organisation carries out the work of the Independent Tier.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) The role of the Independent Tier is to challenge the robustness of Atos Origin Health Care handling of medical service assessment complaints.
	(b) The function of the Independent Tier is an impartial invigilator of Atos Origin Health Care processes for dealing with medical assessment complaints.
	The details of the private company Atos Healthcare appoint to investigate the handling of complaints is not divulged to any third party to ensure continued independence. Atos Origin Health Care are bound by the recommendations of the Independent Tier.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department has any plans to generate low-carbon energy from its estate.

Chris Grayling: The Department has in place a Carbon Management Plan, developed in conjunction with the Carbon Trust, setting out our plans to reduce our carbon emissions by 25% by 2015.
	While we currently have no plans to generate low carbon energy we are engaging with all our suppliers to deliver the aims of this plan including working with our estates private finance initiative partner to deliver ambitious spend-to-save projects across the estate, which make best use of emerging low carbon technologies to reduce our carbon emissions.
	For example, a Salix funded Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant was installed at the Department's Quarry House headquarters building in Leeds at the end of 2010. It is fuelled by natural gas and is classified as 'low-carbon' technology. Initial indications are that performance is exceeding the estimated saving of £90,000 and 428tCO2 a year.

Industrial Health and Safety: Prosecutions

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employers with fewer than two employees have been subject to criminal prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act in each of the last five years.

Chris Grayling: HSE does not hold prosecution data at this level of detail.

Council Tax: Rates and Rating

Natascha Engel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many payments the Valuation Office Agency has (a) made and (b) approved arising from retrospective reassessment of domestic property valuations for council tax purposes in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Gauke: Payments made by the Valuation Office Agency are ex gratia payments under its complaints code of practice, 'Putting things right for you', in cases where it has caused a serious error or delay in altering the council tax band of a property.
	For the financial year 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011, the VOA (a) made and (b) approved payments reflecting lost interest on overpaid council tax in 14 cases.

Enterprise Zones

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the trends in gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2011 on his Department's policy on enterprise zones.

Justine Greening: The Government are working with local enterprise partnerships to maximise the economic impact of enterprise zones by supporting opportunities for real growth identified by local partners. The Government will ensure that an appropriate framework is put in place to measure the impact of enterprise zones.
	The costing for the enterprise zones measure is set out at page 20 of Budget 2011 policy costings, published alongside the Budget:
	http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_policycostings.pdf
	Chapter 1 of the document explains which effects are included in the policy costings and how the costings fit into the OBR's forecasts.

Counter-terrorism: Leicester

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to her Department's Prevent Strategy, what criteria she used to identify Leicester as a priority area.

James Brokenshire: The revised Prevent strategy introduced a new prioritisation process that no longer relies on simple demographics. The new process aggregates a range of information and policing indicators of terrorist activity to identify the areas where Prevent work is most needed. There are currently 25 priority areas, which includes Leicester, and these each receive dedicated resources and support. The designation of an area as a priority will be regularly reviewed by the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT).

Departmental Freedom of Information

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 her Department received from (a) hon. Members from each political party and (b) members of the public in each year since the Act's entry into force.

Lynne Featherstone: As a public access regime the Freedom of Information Act (2000) is intended to be applicant blind with regard to the identity or motives of those seeking information from a public body. The Home Office does not require that requestors under the Act provide information as to their organisational or political affiliation and accordingly the information the member is seeking is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Statistics are available however for the total number of requests received by the Department each year since 2005.
	These are set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Freedom of Information requests received by the Home Office 2005-11  (1) 
			  Number of requests received 
			 2005 1,970 
			 2006 2,861 
			 2007 2,269 
			 2008 1,998 
			 2009 2,492 
			 2010 3,069 
			 2011 1,636 
			 (1 )Statistics on FOI activity and performance are published quarterly on the Ministry of Justice website. Note: Figures for 2011 are for the six months to 29 June only.

Deportation: Offenders

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 28 June 2011, Official Report, columns 685-6W, on offenders: foreign nationals, how many foreign national prisoners were removed from the UK in each of the last five years; what each prisoner's country of origin was; which country they were returned to; and what the offences were for which they were imprisoned.

Damian Green: The following table shows the published figures for number of foreign nationals removed or deported from the UK. Please note that the data for 2006 are not considered to be reliable for publication.
	
		
			  Number of foreign nationals removed or deported from the UK 
			 2007 4,200 
			 2008 5,400 
			 2009 5,530 
			 2010 5,235 
		
	
	We do not disclose data on those removed to specific countries as it would jeopardise our diplomatic relations.
	In 2009 and 2010 the UK Border Agency removed or deported 10,765 foreign national prisoners from the UK. The written updates provided by the chief executive of the UK Border Agency to the Home Affairs committee confirm that the criminals removed in these two years included almost 120 individuals found guilty or murder, attempted murder or causing death, over 650 sex offenders and around 3,050 drug offenders. Of the drug offenders removed, over 1,650 were convicted of the production or supply of drugs, around 550 convicted of possession with intent to supply, and around 800 were convicted of the importation of drugs. The remaining individuals had received convictions for a range of more than 70 offences including violent crimes, robbery, fraud and document offences.

Foreign Workers: EU Nationals

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2011, Official Report, column 861W, on foreign workers: EU nationals, on what date she asked the Migration Advisory Committee to review the labour market case; what the terms of reference of the review are; which (a) individuals and (b) bodies were invited to respond to the review; for what reason a formal call for evidence was not issued; how the Committee has advertised that it will accept written views from any interested party; what the closing date is for the receipt of written submissions; how the review question was formulated; what her definition is of serious disturbance; how many representations on the review the Committee has received; by whom such representations were made; when she plans to publish the outcomes of the review; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: On 3 June the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), wrote to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), asking:
	“Is there a serious disturbance, or threat of such a disturbance, to the UK labour market and would maintaining the existing restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian nationals' access to the labour market assist in addressing any such disturbance or threat?”
	The Government have not prescribed to the MAC how it should carry out the review, who should be invited to respond, or defined what is a serious disturbance of the labour market.
	The MAC will set out in its final report what representations it received and from whom. The MAC will submit this report to Government by October 2011 and publish it around the same time.

Knives: Crime

Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations have received funding from her Department for the purpose of preventing knife crime since January 2011.

Theresa May: holding answer 23 June 2011
	In 2010-11 the Home Office made funding available to 143 voluntary and community organisations working to prevent young people's involvement in knife and gun crime. The Home Office also provided funding to The Prince's Trust who gave out 67 awards through the Ben Kinsella Fund in 2010-11.
	In 2011-12 the Home Office will be making funding available to voluntary and community organisations working to prevent young people's involvement in knife and gun crime though the Communities Against Gangs, Guns and Knives Fund. Money is also being made available to the Princes Trust fund to continue the Ben Kinsella Fund.

Police: Accountability

Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what submissions her Department received to its consultation on Police and Crime Commissioners which indicated support for her policy.

Theresa May: holding answer 27 June 2011
	The 'Policing in the 21st century: reconnecting police and the people Summary of consultation responses and next steps' document listed all respondents. A copy is in the Library of the House.

Policing and Crime Act 2009

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) arrests, (b) prosecutions and (c) convictions there were under Section 14 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011 to date.

Lynne Featherstone: Section 14 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 added Section 53A(1) to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which came into force in April 2010.
	Data provided by the Ministry of Justice on the number of persons proceeded against and found guilty at all courts, under Section 53A(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in England and Wales, 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the table.
	Court proceedings data for 2011 will be available in the spring of 2012.
	Data on arrests under the act are not collected centrally as reported information is not broken down to the level of detail required.
	
		
			 D  efendants proceeded against at magistrates court and found guilty at all courts, under Section 53A  (1)   of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, England and Wales, 2010  (2,3) 
			  Number 
			 Proceeded against 49 
			 Found guilty 43 
			 (1) Section 14 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 added Section 53A(1) to the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Came into force on 1 April 2010. (2) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Sexual Offences

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to monitor repeat sex offenders who have been returned to the UK from overseas as a result of their UK citizenship.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 4 July 2011
	Where an individual (whether they be a UK citizen or a foreign national) has been convicted or cautioned for a sexual offence committed overseas the police can apply to the magistrates court to obtain a notification order in order to protect the public in the UK from any risk that they pose. Police may apply to the court for the order in relation to offenders living in, or intending to come to, the UK.
	A notification order will require an offender to comply with the notification requirements as set out within Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 as if they had been convicted for an equivalent offence in the UK, including notifying their personal details to the police and notification of travel outside of the UK.
	Breach of a notification order carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.

Further Education

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to remove barriers to education for young people aged between 16 and 19 years who are not engaged with the education system; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: Attainment at age 16 is the most important factor in determining later participation in education and training. We have set out reforms to pre-16 education in the White Paper ‘The Importance of Teaching’ focused on raising attainment and prevent low achievement becoming an ongoing barrier to participation and success.
	There is a strong link between disadvantage and young people's likelihood of participating post-16 and the Pupil Premium will give schools extra funding to spend on interventions that support the attainment of disadvantaged pupils. For those young people facing financial barriers to education post-16, we have introduced a £180 million bursary scheme for 16 to 19-year-olds to provide better targeted financial support to those who need it.
	Local authorities have duties to provide sufficient suitable education and training places for young people aged 16 to 19, track their participation and provide targeted support to all those who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) to help them to re-engage. Local authorities will know best what type of support is needed to address the particular barriers that young people face in their area, and we are funding this through the Early Intervention Grant.

Pupils: Disadvantaged

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of children in each local authority area were (a) entitled to and (b) in receipt of free school meals in (i) 1997, (ii) 2009, (iii) 2010 and (iv) 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: Information on the number of pupils eligible for and claiming free school meals as at January 2011 is published in tables 11a, 11b and 11c of the Statistical First Release 'Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics, January 2011' available at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s001012/index.shtml
	Information for January 2010 is published in tables 11a, 11b and 11c of the Statistical First Release 'Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics: January 2010' available at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000925/index.shtml
	Information for January 2009 is published in tables 11a, 11b and 11c of the Statistical First Release 'Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics: January 2009' available at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000843/index.shtml
	Information for January 1997 has been placed in the House Libraries.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are based in accommodation in (a) Gioia dell Colle, (b) Trapani, (c) Poggio Renatico and (d) Naples, Italy as part of Operation Ellamy.

Nick Harvey: The numbers of service personnel deployed to the main locations in Italy as at 29 June 2011 in support of Operation Ellamy are given in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of service personnel  (1) 
			 Gioia Dell Colle, Italy 550 
			 Trapani, Italy 150 
			 Poggio Renatico, Italy 50 
			 Naples, Italy 100 
			 (1) Rounded to the nearest 50 personnel. 
		
	
	The precise number of personnel overseas fluctuates on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces, visits and a range of other factors. We do not, therefore, publish actual figures for personnel deployed.

Libya: Armed Conflict

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many airframe hours have been flown in RAF (a) Typhoon and (b) Tornado jets since the commencement of military operations over Libya.

Nick Harvey: I am withholding the information requested as its release would, or would be likely, to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Military Aircraft

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pilotless drones the Army possesses; and how many are deployed in conflict zones.

Nick Harvey: The Army currently possesses 310 remotely operated aircraft.
	I am withholding information on how many are deployed in conflict zones as this would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Affordable Housing

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2011, Official Report, column 558W, on affordable housing, what the name is of each incentive available to registered providers to ensure that more (a) new and (b) existing housing stock is provided for low-paid working people under the Affordable Homes programme for 2011 to 2014; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: We invited offers from registered providers for funding from the Affordable Homes programme in February 2011, making clear that offers could consist of a variety of products as set out in the framework for the programme. Providers have submitted their offers to the Homes and Communities Agency who are currently assessing them.
	We are giving housing associations much more flexibility on rents and use of assets, so our aspiration is to deliver as many as homes as possible through our investment and reforms.

Biofuels: Accidents

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information he holds on the number of (a) fires and (b) explosions caused by the production of biodiesel in the latest period for which figures are available.

Bob Neill: Detailed records of incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services since April 2009 are held centrally. These records provide no indication of either any fires or explosions caused by biodiesel since April 2009.

Departmental Internet

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department spent on websites other than direct.gov and communities.gov.uk in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10; and what the (i) URL, (ii) setup costs and (iii) running costs were of each website.

Bob Neill: holding answer 20 June 2011
	The following sites are currently in operation by the Department:
	Info41ocal
	www.info4local.gov.uk
	The annual running costs for info4Local are included in the costs of running the Department's website. These costs are fixed and the Department is contractually committed to all elements of the budget
	In 2008-09, the Department paid £446,124 for annual hosting charges, licensing, application support and maintenance and development across intranet, corporate site and info41ocal. In 2009-10, this figure was £445,169.
	Planning Portal
	www.planningportal.gov.uk
	In 2008-09, the Department paid £4,986,469 for the Portal service, this included staff costs, the Portal website and sales and marketing activity in support of e-planning.
	In 2009-10 the Department paid £8,482,287, for the Portal service, this included rebuilding the Portal website, sales and marketing activity in support of e-planning and staff.
	Intra Govt Geographical Info(closing July 2011)
	www.iggi.gov.uk
	In 2008-09, the Department paid £12,551 for annual hosting charges, licensing, application support and maintenance and development.
	In 2009-10, the Department paid £3,641.
	Data for Neighbourhood Renewal
	www.data4nr.net
	In 2008-09, the Department paid £37,000 for initial set up costs.
	Annual hosting charges, licensing, application support and maintenance for 2008-09 and 2009-10 were £9,996 a year.
	Websites closed by the Department
	The following table displays the websites closed during 2008-09 and 2009-10. For all closed websites the set-up and running costs were not required to be kept centrally. All sub-domains of the direct.gov and communities.gov.uk are not reflected in this answer.
	
		
			 Site name URL Closed during 
			 Exploring Innovation www.exploringinnovation.org.uk/ 2008-09 
			 Thames Gateway www.thamesgateway.gov.uk/ 2008-09 
			 Best Value Performance Indicators www.bvpi.gov.uk 2008-09 
			 Neighbourhood renewal unit www.neighbourhood.gov.uk 2008-09 
			 Supporting people knowledge website www.spkweb.org.uk 2009-10 
			 Local government pensions www.xoq83.dial.pipex.com 2009-10 
			 Cleaner safer greener www.cleanersafergreener.gov.uk 2008-09 
			 Firekills www.firekills.gov.uk 2008-09 
			 Firelink www.firelink.org.uk 2008-09 
			 National land use database www.nlud.org 2009-10 
			 Supporting people directory www.spdirectory.org.uk 2008-09 
			 Local directgov www.localdirect.gov.uk 2009-10 
			 Fire gateway www.fire.gov.uk 2009-10 
			 Tesa project www.tesaproject.co.uk/ 2009-10 
			 Be-Utd www.be-utd.org/ 2010-11 
			 FRS Online www.frsonline.fire.gov.uk 2008-09

Enterprise Zones

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which Government department's officials will be responsible for assessing the second wave of Enterprise Zone bids.

Bob Neill: Officials from my own Department, together with officials from Her Majesty's Treasury and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills will be responsible for assessing the second wave of Enterprise Zone bids. Officials from other departments will also be asked to input into the assessment as necessary.

European Regional Development Fund

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which organisations in receipt of funding from the European regional development fund have been required to make financial corrections for breaches of the rules of the fund in respect of publicity; what the name is of each project in respect of which a breach was identified; what the monetary value of each such project was; what the nature of the breach was; and what financial penalty or correction was imposed.

Bob Neill: holding answer 23 June 2011
	The information provided is for English programmes only; the management of programmes in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are managed by the devolved Administrations.
	It is important that taxpayers' money is spent properly, and there are audits and checks on programmes funded from the public purse.
	We have to operate existing ERDF programmes according to the regulations. However, the Government believe that the regulations should be focused on ensuring that ERDF meets its objective of promoting economic competitiveness. We will be arguing strongly with the Commission that in the next programme, penalties for things that do not contribute to this objective, such as failing to publicise the programme, should be swept away.
	The irony of the museum housing the Labour party's archives being fined for not flying the EU flag should not be lost on hon. Members.
	Breaches ERDF European Commission Publicity Regulations
	2000-06 ERDF Programme
	There are no data available for programmes before 2000. The details requested for the 2000-06 ERDF programmes are provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Organisation Project title Project value (£) ERDF grant (£) Irregularity (£) Details 
			 Advantage West Midlands (Regional Development Agency) Marketing the Region 3,736,855 1,683,280 201,801 This project was to fund publicity material to promote the West Midlands to tourists and inward investors. In approx 2003 the then marketing consultants for AWM took the decision not to use the EU logo on the material to avoid having a confused brand image. They were unaware of the requirements of ERDF on publicity. This error was identified 2 years later, at which point AWM voluntarily withdrew this ERDF expenditure and repaid it. 
			       
			 Birmingham Chamber of Commerce PROF-IT 2,847,080 729,900 77,609 A corporate event run by the former Business Link Birmingham and Solihull, which was part funded by ERDF. Corporate branding was used for the event rather than any acknowledgement of the ERDF contribution. Therefore a flat rate penalty of 10% imposed and £77,609 was repaid. 
			       
			 Peterborough YMCA YMCA Red Triangle 340,709.18 170,354.59 1,325.00 Failure to display ERDF logo and include on publicity material. The amount of ineligible ERDF was borne by Peterborough City Council. 
			       
			 North Tyneside Council Refurbishment of Whitley Bay Playhouse 3,561,621 626,489 16,450 As a result of an audit inspection it was found that there were a number of failings in the management of this project, of which the lack of publicity was one. As these failings contravened the terms of the ERDF letter an irregularity was raised and the council has repaid in full. 
			       
			 One North East International Trade and Support Services 1,485,909 594,364 28,497 As a result of an audit inspection it was found that there were a number of failings in the management of this project, of which the lack of publicity was one. As these failings contravened the ERDF regulations the RDA repaid £28,497. 
		
	
	2007-13 ERDF Programme
	For the 2007-13 ERDF Programme the following financial corrections have been made.
	
		
			  Project name (Regional ERDF Programme) Monetary value of the project (£) Nature of the breach Financial penalty or correction (£) 
			 Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Inclusive Enterprise (Yorkshire and Humber) 8,000,000 Failure to appropriately advertise ERDF support during radio advert 5,250 
			 University of Northampton Modelling and Visualisation Centre (East Midlands) 8,628,858 The project did not have the required billboard up in time (8 week period) 56,477.70 
			 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council South Black Country SUD Package (West Midlands) 202,000 Failure to acknowledge ERDF Programme in text or display logos in job adverts 5,046 
			 The National Museum of Labour History Peoples History Museum (North West) 756,300 No logo on billboard 7,223 
			 North West Vision and Media NW Vision and Media Cluster Development (North West) 2,716,950 Marketing materials without logo 12,005 
			 Merseytravel James Street Underground Station (North West) 1,700,000 Insufficient publicity at project start 13,600 
			 The Merseyside Partnership Partners for Tourism (North West) 11.947,934 Use of incorrect logo 5,492.50 
			 Business Link Business Link Brokerage Service (North West) 3,270,695 Job Advertisement without ERDF logo 5,296.47

Falck EMSUK

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when (a) he and (b) officials in his Department last met representatives of Falck EMSUK Ltd; what subjects were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: I have not met with representatives of Falck EMSUK Ltd. Officials in my Department had an informal meeting with a representative of Falck EMSUK Ltd in March 2011 as part of discussions with a number of organisations about the Fire Service College.

Homelessness

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment the cross-departmental Homeless Working Group has made of the effects of the implementation of the big society initiative on the provision of local services for homeless people.

Grant Shapps: My ministerial colleagues and I are well aware of the significant contribution made by volunteers up and down the country in supporting the voluntary and community sector and other agencies to help vulnerable people. Their contribution is integral in ensuring they receive the appropriate support they need to enhance their well-being.
	This Government take homelessness very seriously. We are maintaining investment in homelessness grant at £100 million a year for each of the next four years to support local authorities and the voluntary sector in their work to prevent homelessness. We have also secured £6.5 billion investment for Supporting People over the next four years.
	In addition, I established a cross-Government Ministerial Working Group on Homelessness to address the complex causes of homelessness and improve support for homeless people. The first report from the Ministerial Working Group will be published on 6 July and will be available at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/homelessness/
	The report sets out the Government's intention to roll out ‘No Second Night Out’ nationally, the approach being taken by the Mayor of London to quickly identify new rough sleepers. To deliver the pledge and ensure that the voluntary sector continues to play a central role in tackling rough sleeping, I have also announced a new £20 million Homelessness Transition Fund to be administered by Homeless Link. The report includes commitments from Government Departments, local government and voluntary sector partners to end rough sleeping and help ensure that nobody spends a second night sleeping rough on Britain's streets.

Local Government: Social Enterprises

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he plans to take to encourage local authorities to award service contracts to social enterprises.

Bob Neill: Procurement in local government is a matter for local discretion but Government are committed to encouraging a more open and level playing field for small and medium enterprises and the voluntary and community sector to bid for contracts. In February, the Prime Minister launched a new, free-to-use, online Contracts Finder portal and simplified pre-qualification questionnaire to make it easier and cheaper for small and medium enterprises and the voluntary and community sector to bid for public sector opportunities.
	DCLG has also recently consulted on new statutory guidance on Best Value (the consultation closed on 14 June). It makes clear that councils need to avoid making disproportionate reductions to the voluntary and community sector and sets out what voluntary and community organisations should expect from working with local government.

Public Sector: Pensions

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the likely effects of (a) the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Public Sector Pensions Commission, (b) changes to the annual uprating of public sector pensions, (c) a 3.2 per cent. increase in employee contributions to public sector pension schemes and (d) a 2.5 per cent. increase in VAT on staff (i) retention and (ii) morale in the fire and rescue service; and when he last discussed fire service (A) pensions and (B) pay with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Bob Neill: The Government intend to respond to the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission's recommendations later in the year. Scheme specific discussions will develop the appropriate reforms to the firefighters' pension schemes, in full consultation with the Firefighters' Pension Committee and other sector partners.
	Discussions are proceeding with the Trades Union Congress and trade unions to establish the principles to apply to new levels of employee contributions in public service pension schemes from 1 April 2012. The Government are committed to protecting low earners, ensuring that any changes will be sustainable and progressive, and remain fair to both public sector workers and to the taxpayer.
	The Department meets employer and trade union representatives at the Firefighters' Pensions Committee and elsewhere to discuss pension reforms, their interaction with pay and work force issues and their impact on the fire service.
	I and my fellow Ministers meet regularly with colleagues from Her Majesty's Treasury to discuss a range of matters.

A46

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which sections of the A46 are classified as trunk road; and what responsibility the Highways Agency has for the (a) maintenance and (b) improvement of such sections.

Michael Penning: The A46 runs from the outskirts of Bath in Somerset to near Grimsby in North-East Lincolnshire. The trunk road sections are from the A57 Carholme Roundabout near Lincoln to Junction 21a of the M1 near Leicester; Junction 2 of the M6 near Coventry to Junction 9 of the M5 in Gloucestershire; and Junction 18 of the M4 east of Bristol to its junction with A4 near Bath.
	The Secretary of State for Transport is the highway and traffic authority for the Strategic Road Network of England. As an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, the Highways Agency's responsibilities for maintaining and improving the Strategic Road Network are defined in the Highways Act 1980.

Biggin Hill Airport: Olympic Games 2012

Jo Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contribution his Department expects Biggin Hill airport to make in meeting demand for air travel during the London 2012 Olympics.

Theresa Villiers: Studies commissioned by the Department of Transport suggest that large numbers of additional private aircraft flights can be expected during the Games period, and that both airport and airspace capacity across south-east England will be in high demand, especially during peak periods. Biggin Hill airport, along with a number of other airports across the south-east, is expected to play an important part in accommodating this additional demand.

Channel Tunnel Railway Line

Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on the economy of (a) Stratford, (b) Ebbsfleet and (c) Ashford of the High Speed 1 rail line.

Theresa Villiers: The Secretary of State has not made any recent economic assessment for High Speed one rail line in respect of Stratford, Ebbsfleet and Ashford. However, London and Continental Railway had commissioned an independent study carried out by Colin Buchanan and Voleterra on the economic impact of HS1 in 2009. A web link of the final copy of the report can be found at:
	http://www.colinbuchanan.com/uploads/cms/files/147e7dfc-2a53-4267-83d7-72bdde92062e.pdf
	In addition, cost-benefit ratios were also calculated during the construction stages of the project using the methodology of the time. Information on these is available in National Audit Office reports dated 28 March 2001 and 21 July 2005. Both reports are available from the NAO.

Channel Tunnel Railway Line: Freight

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the compliance of ordinary freight trains using the channel tunnel with the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Commission of 30 March 2011 that ordinary freight trains should meet the provisions of Article 7.4.1 of the Technical Specification for Inter-operability: Safety in Rail Tunnels.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the compliance of ordinary freight trains using the channel tunnel since no additional requirements are necessary for Technical Specification for Interoperability-conforming freight wagons to be used in the channel tunnel.
	The UK and French Governments notified, on 5 January 2009, a number of existing technical compatibility and safety requirements for both passenger and freight trains for the channel tunnel under article 7.4.1. which pre-date the introduction of the Technical Specification for Interoperability: Safety in Railway Tunnels.
	That notification was subject to a Technical Opinion from the European Railway Agency delivered in July 2010. The UK and French Government's response to that opinion included a commitment to develop these rules and the Intergovernmental Commission is currently progressing that project. A consultation on the specific requirements of freight trains has recently been completed as part of this ongoing work.

Railways: Finance

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on work in respect of train operating companies and the rail franchises they currently hold or for which they are bidding since May 2010; and what estimate he has made of likely further expenditure in the remainder of the comprehensive spending review period.

Theresa Villiers: The Department does not hold the information in the form requested. Data on all external departmental spending, including that in connection with rail franchises is published regularly on the Department's website at
	www.dft.gov.uk/transparency
	In addition to this spending, the Department employs a number of staff to manage and advise on train operating companies and rail franchising as part of their duties. The Department does not maintain records of the internal costs associated with rail franchising or rail contact management as a separate line item in its overall staff cost base.

Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether he has received any representations on the effects of the renewable transport fuels obligation on the sustainable biodiesel industry;
	(2)  whether he has considered the merits of extending the price differential for the sustainable biodiesel sector as a transitional measure in implementing the renewable transport fuels obligation;
	(3)  whether he has made an assessment of the effects of the renewable transport fuels obligation on the sustainable biodiesel industry;
	(4)  what steps he plans to take to provide stability for the sustainable biodiesel industry after the end of the duty differential;
	(5)  what assessment his Department has made of the contribution of the 20 pence duty differential for biodiesel to meeting the UK's renewable energy targets.

Norman Baker: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9 June 2011, Official Report, column 459W, to the hon. Member for Congleton (Fiona Bruce), by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), for the Government's position on the duty differential.
	Department for Transport Ministers have received representations from the sustainable biodiesel industry and officials meet regularly with a number of organisations to discuss a range of transport matters including the operation of the RTFO.
	As part of the Government's measures to address climate change, the renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) ensures a growing proportion of UK road transport fuels are from sustainable renewable sources. The RTFO includes a certificate trading mechanism to increase efficiency of compliance. The value of individual renewable transport fuel certificates is determined by the market and depends upon the relative cost of supplying biofuel and fossil fuels. We continue to monitor and report on the impact of the RTFO and consider that to date the RTFO has met its objective of driving a market for renewable transport fuels in the UK.
	We are currently considering responses to a consultation proposing amendments to the RTFO to implement the transport elements of the renewable energy directive. These proposals include providing twice the financial support to waste-derived biofuels as will be provided to conventional biofuels, through the award of two renewable transport certificates per litre of waste derived biofuel. Crop-derived biofuels will continue to receive one certificate per litre and no support will be awarded to biofuels that do not meet required sustainability standards.
	There is no plan to have the 20p duty differential for used cooking oil derived biodiesel in 2020. However, research undertaken on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change suggests that there is a potential UK-sourced used cooking oil resource of around 250,000 tonnes per year. If all of this resource were to be used as biodiesel in the transport sector, this would contribute roughly 10% of the effort required to meet the renewable energy directive transport sector sub-target.

Roads: Safety

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much he estimates the private sector will contribute to the THINK! road safety advertising campaign over the course of the comprehensive spending review period; and which private sector companies have agreed to provide funding to date.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport does not receive cash sponsorship but we do receive 'in kind' support from a range of organisations linking with the THINK! road safety campaign. This summer, Britvic is supporting THINK! Driver Friendly activity tackling drink driving and Infinity Motorcycles is supporting the motorcycle safety campaign. We have not finalised plans with other partners.

Aortic Aneurysm: Screening

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many men screened under the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme were subsequently referred for treatment since its inception;
	(2)  whether his Department has assessed the merits of including indicators on abdominal aortic aneurysm in the Quality and Outcomes Framework;
	(3)  what proportion of men offered screening under the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme were subsequently screened in each programme area in each year since its inception.

Simon Burns: Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is not a direct responsibility for general practitioners, therefore there is no merit including abdominal aortic aneurysm screening within the Quality and Outcomes Framework, however the screening programme remains a priority and is included within the 2011-12 NHS Operating Framework for England.
	Since the introduction of the NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme in 2009, approximately 60,000 men aged 65 and over have been screened by the national programme and around 150 men have been referred to vascular surgeons.
	The following table shows the proportion of men who were screened in their 65th year after being invited by their local programme during each of the national programme's first two years of screening:
	
		
			 Programme Year Uptake (% of men offered screening who were tested) 
			 Gloucestershire 2009-10 92 
		
	
	
		
			 Leicestershire 2009-10 79 
			 South Manchester 2009-10 77 
			 South Devon and Exeter 2009-10 85 
			 South West London 2009-10 73 
			 West Sussex 2009-10 82 
			 Gloucestershire 2010-11 80 
			 Heart of England 2010-11 80 
			 Leicestershire 2010-11 72 
			 Greater Manchester 2010-11 67 
			 North Central London 2010-11 54 
			 Peninsula 2010-11 67 
			 South Devon and Exeter 2010-11 79 
			 South West London 2010-11 68 
			 West Sussex 2010-11 79

Cancer: Medical Treatments

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to report on the treatment of very rare cancers; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published a number of pieces of guidance on the treatment of less common cancers. Further guidance relating to less common cancers is in development.
	Information on NICE'S guidance on cancers is available at:
	http://guidance.nice.org.uk/Topic/Cancer

NHS Supply Chain Supplier Code of Conduct

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the NHS Supply Chain Supplier Code of Conduct.

Simon Burns: NHS Supply Chain have commenced a review of how their 'Supplier Code of Conduct' on Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing is applied to their procurement process for surgical instruments and how well suppliers can demonstrate adherence to it.
	In response to initial findings of this review NHS Supply Chain have enhanced their ‘Supplier Code of Conduct’ and are in the process of communicating this to all contracted surgical instrument suppliers. This new ‘Code of Conduct’ is available at:
	www.supplychain.nhs.uk/suppliers/code-of-conduct/

NHS: Procurement

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to NHS hospitals on the ethical procurement of surgical equipment; and whether he plans to review that guidance.

Simon Burns: Guidelines for the national health service, the “Ethical Procurement for Health” workbook (and supporting materials), were issued on the 16 May 2011 by the British Medical Association and Ethical Trading Initiative in partnership with the Department of Health.
	The Department encourages all NHS organisations to follow the advice within these materials as appropriate. The “Ethical Procurement for Health” workbook and materials will be reviewed periodically and in response to feedback as experience of practical application develops. The workbook can be accessed at:
	www.ethicaltrade.org/ethical-procurement-for-health

Ovarian Cancer: Health Education

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will establish a national awareness campaign on ovarian cancer for the purposes of increasing early diagnosis; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: On 12 January 2011, we published “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer”. The strategy sets out an ambition to save an additional 5,000 lives every year by 2014-15 through earlier diagnosis of cancer and improved access to screening and radiotherapy. To support earlier diagnosis of cancer, the Government have committed over £450 million over the next four years, which includes provision for the funding of awareness activity.
	We have already indicated that, subject to the evaluation of the regional pilots, the main focus for a national symptom awareness campaign this year would be bowel cancer. We are also planning to pilot new campaigns on other cancers and symptoms. We know that not all the 5,000 lives can be saved by only tackling only common cancers.

Pancreatic Cancer

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will take steps to increase awareness of pancreatic cancer in the (a) medical profession and (b) general public; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will take steps to increase the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: On 12 January 20117 we published “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer”, a copy of which has already been placed in the Library. The strategy sets out an ambition to save at least an additional 5,000 lives every year by 2014-15 through earlier diagnosis of cancer and improved access to screening and radiotherapy. To support earlier diagnosis of cancer, the Government have committed over £450 million over the next four years, which includes provision for the funding of awareness activity and measures to support general practitioners to diagnose cancer earlier.
	The strategy also sets out our commitment to work with a number of rarer cancer-focused charities to assess what more can be done to encourage appropriate referrals to secondary care and to diagnose rarer cancers earlier.
	Departmental officials have already met with a number of these charities, including a pancreatic cancer charity, with the aim of identifying some of the barriers to early diagnosis and to discuss potential solutions. This will inform our future work in this area.
	We have already indicated that, subject to the evaluation of the regional pilots, the focus for a national symptom awareness campaign this year would be bowel cancer. We are also planning to pilot new campaigns on other cancers and symptoms. We know that not all the 5,000 lives can be saved by tackling common cancers.

Prescription Drugs: Misuse

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what interests were declared by each author of the recently published National Addiction Centre report on addiction to prescribed medicine.

Anne Milton: All academic research is bound by strict codes of conduct such as the Research Councils UK policy and code of conduct on the governance of good research conduct and the UK Research Integrity Office code of conduct for research.
	The National Addictions Centre is part of Kings College London and as such is bound by the college's commitment to maintaining the highest possible standards of integrity and probity in the conduct of academic research. This includes a specific requirement for all possible conflicts of interest to be declared within any tender for externally commissioned work.
	The authors of the report published by the National Addiction Centre declared no conflicts of interest in their tender for the work commissioned by the Department.

Radiotherapy

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  with reference to paragraph 6.12 of Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer, how much of the additional funding for radiotherapy capacity is to be made available to commissioners in the South West in each of the next four years;
	(2)  with reference to the recommendations on the tariff for lung cancer contained in the National Radiotherapy Implementation Group Report on Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Treatment published in April 2011, on what date his Department's new cancer strategy will include such a tariff;
	(3)  with reference to the National Radiotherapy Implementation Group Report on Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Treatment (SBRT) published in April 2011, what technologies the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has identified as appropriate for evaluation for SBRT; and on what date NICE will publish its findings;
	(4)  with reference to the National Radiotherapy Implementation Group Report on Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Treatment (SBRT) published in April 2011, whether his Department's new cancer strategy will include a tariff for the SBRT recommended trials for cancers of the (a) pancreas, (b) oligometastases, (c) hepatic metastases, (d) kidney, (e) prostate, (f) head and neck, (g) liver and (h) spine.

Paul Burstow: “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer” sets out our commitment to expand radiotherapy capacity by investing over £150 million in additional funding over the next four years. This additional funding was included in the financial settlement for the spending review period 2011-12 to 2014-15 and will be included in primary care trust (PCT) baseline allocations, alongside the existing funding for radiotherapy.
	Recurrent revenue allocations are currently made to PCTs on the basis of a weighted capitation formula, used to determine PCTs' target shares of available resources to enable them to commission similar levels of health services for populations in similar need. Funding for specific services is not identified at PCT-level, it is for PCTs to decide how to use their funding to commission services, including radiotherapy services, to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations, taking account of local and national priorities. We have said we will investigate the potential development of a range of tariffs to incentivise high quality, cost-effective services, including the newest radiotherapy techniques, once the standard radiotherapy tariff has been introduced. It is anticipated that a national currency for radiotherapy will be introduced for contracting in April 2012, with prices agreed locally. Feedback from the service on the use of these currencies will inform decisions on when it would be appropriate to introduce a mandatory national tariff, which is likely to be no earlier than 2013-14.
	The National Radiotherapy Implementation Group (NRIG) report, “Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) Guidelines for Commissioners, Providers and Clinicians in England 2011”, has now been made available on the National Cancer Action Team website at:
	www.ncat.nhs.uk/our-work/ensuring-better-treatment/radiotherapy
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) can now use the report to identify whether there are any indications for S8RT that would be appropriate for them to evaluate further via the Medical Technologies Advisory Committee or other programmes at NICE.

Royal Brompton Hospital: Heart Diseases

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential effects on children with severe asthma of the removal of children's heart services from the Royal Brompton hospital.

Simon Burns: The “Safe and Sustainable” review is being conducted by the NHS Specialised Commissioning Team. We have however been following its progress.
	No decision has yet been made on the location of children's heart surgery units. The proposed options for paediatric congenital heart services were consulted on between 1 March and 1 July 2011. The consultation questionnaire specifically asked for views on whether two or three centres would be the optimal number for London and, if two is preferred, which of the three centres should be designated.
	The consultation document made it clear that the Joint Committee of primary care trusts (JCPCT) will consider any evidence submitted about the potential impact for children who access other relevant clinical services (such as asthma). In response to concerns that have been set out by the board of the Royal Brompton. and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust about the potential impact to paediatric respiratory services at the Royal Brompton hospital, the JCPCT has convened an expert clinical panel to investigate the issues and report to it in the autumn.
	We would expect the JCPCT, before taking a decision, to consider this report as well as an independent analysis of the consultation responses, reports from health overview and scrutiny committees, and a health impact assessment.
	Local health overview and scrutiny committees will also have a further opportunity to consider the analysis of the consultation and the health impact assessment and supplement their consultation responses by 5 October 2011.

St George's Healthcare NHS Trust

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential effects on patient safety of reductions in services at St George's NHS Trust.

Simon Burns: It is for the local national health service to decide how services should be delivered.
	Any reduction in health services should be planned and designed in discussion with, and supported by, local clinicians, including general practitioners to ensure the safety of services for patients at St George's Healthcare NHS Trust.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust: Alexandra Hospital

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department allocated to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in 2010-11; and what proportion of such funding was provided to the Alexandra hospital.

Simon Burns: The Department has not allocated any funding directly to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in 2010-11. Rather, the Department currently makes revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs). The most recent round of allocations to PCTs was for 2011-12. PCTs use the funding allocated to them to commission services to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations, taking account of local and national priorities. National health service trusts primarily derive income through the provision of health services to PCTs.

Prosecutions

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney-General in respect of how many offences of each type the Crown Prosecution Service applied the threshold test in making the decision to charge in each of the last five years.

Edward Garnier: The number and percentage of defendants charged under the threshold test is provided in the following table. The pre-charge decisions total includes the number of cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that were subsequently either charged, sent for further information, led to an out of court disposal or ended in no further action.
	The CPS is unable to provide this data by offence type. This information is held on individual case files and could only be retrieved by locating and then examining every relevant file in every CPS office in England and Wales which would incur a disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   Threshold test 
			  Total pre-charge decisions Number Percentage 
			 2007-08 547,050 34,336 6.3 
			 2008-09 532,427 31,913 6.0 
			 2009-10 477,517 29,193 6.1 
			 2010-11 466,611 29,296 6.3

Prosecutions: Human Trafficking

Peter Bone: To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions were brought by the Crown Prosecution Service for human trafficking in the last year for which figures are available; and how many such cases resulted in a conviction.

Edward Garnier: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) records show that in the last year 96 prosecutions have been brought on charges under sections 57, 58 and 59 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, alleging trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation, and 20 prosecutions under section 4 of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Act 2004, alleging trafficking for other exploitative purposes. The CPS records indicate the volume of offences, not defendants, prosecuted by the CPS under each Act. This data is not held by defendant or by outcome; therefore we are unable to provide information on how many of these prosecutions resulted in a conviction.

Public Bodies: Human Rights

Jesse Norman: To ask the Attorney-General what recent assessment he has made of proceedings in relation to public authorities under article 8 of schedule 1 of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Edward Garnier: The Law Officers have not made a recent assessment of legal proceedings concerning the right to respect for private and family life provided by article 8 of the European convention on human rights. As the Government's chief legal advisers responsible for overseeing all government litigation, the Attorney-General and I are regularly updated about legal proceedings raising article 8 and other convention right issues.

Business: Industrial Health and Safety

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  if he will assess the merits of implementing the recommendation of the Davidson Review that the Health and Safety Executive should consider exempting the self-employed in low-risk sectors from certain health and safety legislation;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effect of the administrative burden of health and safety regulations on the priority given by businesses to (a) compliance with legislation and (b) the implementation of effective health and safety measures; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 4 July 2011
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 June 2011, Official Report, column 727W, to my hon. Friend the Member for North West Leicestershire (Andrew Bridgen).
	The Department—the Better Regulation Executive in particular—has an established working relationship with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and I am delighted that this government is implementing the recommendations from my noble Friend Lord Young of Graffhams recent review of Health and Safety in the UK.

Business: Loans

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 22 June 2011, Official Report, column 344W, on business: loans, what initial assessment the Government made during the Merlin negotiations of the additional amount banks could lend in 2011 compared with 2010.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 30 June 2011
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 22 June 2011, Official Report, column 344W.
	In discussion with the Government, the main UK banks committed to put in place new lending capacity of £190 billion for businesses in 2011, compared with actual lending in 2010 of £179 billion. The banks also agreed to make £76 billion of this new lending capacity available to UK small and medium sized businesses for 2011, an increase of 15% on what they lent in 2010.
	As stated in the Merlin agreement,
	"With respect to UK small and medium sized businesses, the banks' original expectations were that demand would be lower in 2011 than in 2010 [...]. However, taking account of the dialogue which has brought about this agreement, which has at its core a shared objective to support economic recovery in the UK, these five banks have agreed to aim to foster more demand, such that their intention for gross new lending in 2011 is now higher than what was actually delivered in 2010, recognising that this will involve extensive work to overcome the challenges noted above."

Departmental Billing

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many invoices received by his Department were paid (a) on time and (b) late in each month since May 2010; and what the monetary value was of invoices paid late.

Edward Davey: Since May 2010 the Department has reported performance against two prompt payment targets. The first being a 30 calendar day contractual target and the second covering the Government's aim to pay as many invoices as possible within five working days. The figures for each covering the period May 2010 to May 2011 inclusive are as follows:
	
		
			 Payments made within 30 calendar days 
			  Number £ 
			 Total number of invoices paid and value 28,839 19,315,256,196 
			 Total number and value of invoices paid within 30 days 28,779 19,314,679,625 
			 Total number and value of invoices paid over 30 days 60 60 576,571 
		
	
	
		
			 Payments made with  in   five working days 
			  Number £ 
			 Total number of invoices paid and value 26,327 7,525,712,240 
			 Total number and value of invoices paid within five days 22,791 7,097,314,000 
			 Total number and value of invoices paid over five days 3,536 428,398,240 
		
	
	For information, payments made within the 30 calendar days contractual period cover invoices submitted from all organisations. Payments made within five working days exclude invoices submitted by Government Departments, partner organisations and foreign currency payments. In addition, payments made via Government Procurement Card where an invoice is not submitted are excluded from the figures in the tables.

Departmental Official Cars

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the cost to his Department and its predecessors was of the provision of Ministerial cars in each financial year between 2000-01 and 2010-11; how many (a) cars for the exclusive use of Ministers and (b) Ministerial car journeys were paid for by his Department in each such year; what the average cost to his Department of a Ministerial car journey was in each such year; and what steps his Department has taken to reduce the cost of Ministerial cars since his appointment.

Edward Davey: Information on the cost and number of ministerial cars is published in the annual written ministerial statement, details of which can be found within the Libraries of the House.
	2005/06
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070726/wmstext/70726m0004.htm
	2006/07
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070726/wmstext/70726m0004.htm
	2007/08
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080722/wmstext/80722m0008.htm
	2008/09
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090716/wmstext/90716m0009.htm
	2009/10
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/hammond20101028a
	Details of the costs for 2010-11 are being compiled and due for release later this month.
	Information prior to 2005 is not available and would be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Information relating to individual ministerial car journeys prior to September 2010 is not available as there was no requirement to collect this data.
	Please find following information relating to the number of ministerial car journeys made since the introduction of the ‘on-demand’ Ministerial Car Service on 6 September 2010 and up until 31 March 2011.
	
		
			 Attorney-General's Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 11 
			 October 2010 23 
			 November 2010 31 
			 December 2010 19 
			 January 2011 11 
			 February 2011 18 
			 March 2011 25 
			 Total 138 
		
	
	
		
			 Cabinet Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 114 
			 October 2010 113 
			 November 2010 126 
			 December 2010 58 
			 January 2011 53 
			 February 2011 39 
			 March 2011 58 
			 Total 561 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 91 
			 October 2010 83 
			 November 2010 102 
			 December 2010 49 
			 January 2011 4 
			 February 2011 2 
			 March 2011 3 
			 Total 334 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Communities and Local Government 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 63 
			 October 2010 62 
			 November 2010 101 
			 December 2010 63 
			 January 2011 65 
			 February 2011 80 
			 March 2011 123 
			 Total 557 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Culture, Media and Sport 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 3 
			 October 2010 3 
			 November 2010 3 
			 February 2011 2 
			 March 2011 1 
			 Total 12 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Education 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 47 
			 October 2010 67 
			 November 2010 84 
			 December 2010 53 
			 January 2011 68 
			 February 2011 32 
			 March 2011 75 
			 Total 426 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 2 
			 October 2010 4 
			 November 2010 10 
			 December 2010 4 
			 January 2011 4 
			 March 2011 6 
			 Total 30 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for International Development 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 66 
			 October 2010 80 
			 November 2010 98 
			 December 2010 53 
			 January 2011 59 
			 February 2011 93 
			 March 2011 96 
			 Total 545 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Transport 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 29 
			 October 2010 29 
			 November 2010 40 
			 December 2010 26 
			 January 2011 30 
			 February 2011 25 
			 March 2011 47 
			 Total 226 
		
	
	
		
			 Department for Work and Pensions 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 36 
			 October 2010 29 
			 November 2010 48 
			 December 2010 33 
			 January 2011 36 
			 February 2011 48 
			 March 2011 63 
			 Total 293 
		
	
	
		
			 Department of Energy and Climate Change 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 30 
			 October 2010 23 
			 November 2010 37 
			 December 2010 23 
			 January 2011 46 
			 February 2011 43 
			 March 2011 57 
			 Total 259 
		
	
	
		
			 Department of Health 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 67 
			 October 2010 75 
			 November 2010 105 
			 December 2010 69 
			 January 2011 83 
			 February 2011 71 
			 March 2011 122 
		
	
	
		
			 Total 592 
		
	
	
		
			 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 111 
			 October 2010 30 
			 November 2010 10 
			 December 2010 1 
			 January 2011 1 
			 February 2011 7 
			 March 2011 1 
			 Total 161 
		
	
	
		
			 Her Majesty’s Treasury 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 39 
			 October 2010 65 
			 November 2010 50 
			 December 2010 34 
			 January 2011 33 
			 February 2011 30 
			 March 2011 45 
			 Total 296 
		
	
	
		
			 Home Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 86 
			 October 2010 59 
			 November 2010 71 
			 December 2010 83 
			 January 2011 65 
			 February 2011 65 
			 March 2011 100 
			 Total 529 
		
	
	
		
			 House of Commons 
			  Number of jobs 
			 February 2011 1 
			 Total 1 
		
	
	
		
			 House of Lords 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 9 
			 October 2010 4 
			 November 2010 11 
			 December 2010 4 
			 January 2011 1 
			 March 2011 2 
			 Total 31 
		
	
	
		
			 Ministry of Defence 
			  Number of jobs 
			 March 2011 1 
			 Total 1 
		
	
	
		
			 Ministry of Justice 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 78 
			 October 2010 103 
		
	
	
		
			 November 2010 126 
			 December 2010 75 
			 January 2011 91 
			 February 2011 90 
			 March 2011 120 
			 Total 683 
		
	
	
		
			 Northern Ireland Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 8 
			 October 2010 23 
			 November 2010 43 
			 December 2010 29 
			 January 2011 27 
			 February 2011 29 
			 March 2011 40 
			 Total 199 
		
	
	
		
			 Scotland Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 3 
			 October 2010 6 
			 November 2010 6 
			 December 2010 14 
			 February 2011 1 
			 March 2011 2 
			 Total 32 
		
	
	
		
			 Welsh Office 
			  Number of jobs 
			 September 2010 22 
			 October 2010 23 
			 November 2010 17 
			 December 2010 1 
			 January 2011 4 
			 February 2011 5 
			 March 2011 2 
			 Total 74

Higher Education: Pay

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff employed by the (a) Student Loans Company, (b) Office of the Independent Adjudicator, (c) Higher Education Funding Council for England, (d) Quality Assurance Agency and (e) Office for Fair Access received salaries greater than (i) £65,000, (ii) £100,000, (iii) £200,000 and (iv) £250,000 in (A) 2011-12 and (B) each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The following table shows how many staff employed by the Student Loan Company, Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and Office For Fair Access (OFFA) received the stipulated salaries for the years requested.
	
		
			 FTE salaries £65,000-£99,999 £100,000-£199,999 £200,000-£249,999 >£250,000 
			 2011/12     
			 HEFCE 19 3 1 0 
			 OFFA 0 1 0 0 
			 SLC 10 7 0 0 
			      
			 2010/11     
			 HEFCE 20 3 1 0 
			 OFFA 0 1 0 0 
			 SLC 10 8 0 0 
			      
			 2009/10     
			 HEFCE 19 3 1 0 
			 OFFA 0 1 0 0 
			 SLC 9 6 0 0 
			      
			 2008/09     
			 HEFCE 12 3 1 0 
			 OFFA 0 1 0 0 
			 SLC 8 6 0 0 
			 Note: Context for OFFA figures: The director is appointed by the Secretary of State currently working 0.4 full-time employment (FTE). The director's FTE salary has been illustrated above. His salary for 0.4 FTE falls below £65,000. 
		
	
	The Quality Assurance Agency and Office of the Independent Adjudicator are independent bodies and the Department does not hold this information.

Departmental Billing

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of invoices from small and medium-sized businesses were paid by his Department within five working days of receipt in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Kenneth Clarke: For the 12 month period from June 2010 to May 2011, the Ministry of Justice paid 81.9% of all invoices within five working days of receipt of the invoice.
	The Department does not currently record and publish information about the size of suppliers as this does not fully reflect the number and size of businesses engaged in supplying goods and services. We do not discriminate by size of business because many SMEs can be found within larger supply chains.
	Details of the Ministry's prompt payment performance are publicly available on the MOJ website at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/about/procurement-and-commercial/payment-performance.htm

Departmental Freedom of Information

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many requests under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 his Department received from (a) hon. Members from each political party and (b) members of the public in each year since the Act's entry into force.

Kenneth Clarke: The Department does not collect statistics about the background of individual requesters. This is because the Freedom of Information Act is applicant and motive blind and therefore it is not necessary to record or determine whether a requester is a Member of Parliament or member of the public.
	The Ministry of Justice publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the volume, timeliness and outcome of information requests received by over 40 central Government bodies. These statistics show that the Department has received the following number of requests per year since its creation in 2007:
	
		
			  Number of FOI request received 
			 2007 1,427 
			 2008 2,492 
			 2009 2,899 
			 2010 3,174 
		
	
	In the first quarter of 2011 (1 January to 31 March inclusive) the Ministry of Justice received 847 FOI requests.
	Prior to the creation of the Ministry of Justice, its predecessor, the Department for Constitutional Affairs, received the following number of requests per year:
	
		
			  Number of FOI request received 
			 2005 602 
			 2006 712

Family Courts

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice by what mechanism children's views are represented in the family court system.

Jonathan Djanogly: Where the court is proposing to make, vary or discharge (i) an order under section 8 of the Children Act 1989 for contact, residence, a specific issue or a prohibited steps order (private law cases) and this is opposed by any party to the proceedings, or (ii) an order under Part IV of the Act for a care or supervision order or other connected matters (public law cases) then the court must have regard to the factors set out at section 1(3) of the Act, commonly known as the ‘welfare checklist’. Ascertaining the wishes and feelings of the child concerned, in the light of their age and understanding, is one of those factors.
	The court can seek the help of the Children Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS or CAFCASS Cymru in Wales) to fulfil its responsibility to take account of the ascertainable wishes and feelings of children who are the subject of family proceedings. CAFCASS or CAFCASS Cymru officers will meet with children and families, and report to the Court in order to fulfil this role.
	In cases where there are disputes between parents about future arrangements for their children, more than one meeting may need to take place. The court also has powers under the Family Procedure Rules 2010 to make a child a party to the proceedings, enabling the child to have separate legal representation, where the circumstances of the case dictate that this will be in the child's best interests.
	In public law cases, where a local authority has made an application to take a child into care, the court will appoint a CAFCASS or CAFCASS Cymru officer to the role of guardian for the child. Children's guardians will represent the interests of the child in court, and will also instruct a solicitor to represent the child in circumstances where the child is too young, or is unable to do so themselves.
	Where a court determines any question in relation to the upbringing of a child, the Children Act 1989 requires the court to make the welfare of the child its paramount consideration. The wishes and feelings of the child, so far as these are ascertainable, are an important consideration but will not necessarily be the determining factor in any decision made by the court.

Homicide: Young Offenders

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many persons aged 16 to 18 at the time of conviction for (a) murder or (b) manslaughter that were subsequently released on licence have been recalled to custody following commission of a further offence or for a breach of the licence in each of the last 10 years.

Crispin Blunt: There were nine offenders aged 16 to 18 years when convicted for murder and subsequently released on licence who were recalled to custody following a breach of licence conditions in 2010. Of these, two had committed a further offence, neither of which were defined as serious further offences as set out in ‘Probation Circular 22/2008—Revised Notification and Review Procedures for Serious Further Offences’.
	During 2010, no offenders aged between 16 and 18 years at conviction were recalled to custody while on licence for manslaughter.
	Detailed data on recalls before 2010 are not held centrally in an electronic format. To provide this data would require a manual trawl of individual prison records and incur disproportionate cost.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Homicide: Young Offenders

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many persons aged (a) under 16, (b) 16 to 18 and (c) 18 to 21 years at the time of conviction for (i) murder or (ii) manslaughter in each of the last 10 years, released on licence, breached the conditions of that licence and are not in custody;
	(2)  how many persons aged under 16 years at the time of conviction for (a) murder or (b) manslaughter and subsequently released on licence have been recalled to custody following commission of a further offence or for a breach of the licence in each of the last 10 years.

Crispin Blunt: There are no offenders who were aged under 22 years at the time of conviction for murder or manslaughter who were subsequently released during 2010 on licence and recalled to custody following a breach of licence conditions who are not currently in custody.
	There were no offenders aged under 16 years when convicted for murder who were released on licence during 2010 and subsequently recalled to custody following a breach of licence conditions in 2010.
	There was one offender aged under 16 when convicted for manslaughter and subsequently released on licence during 2010 who was recalled to custody for poor behaviour which constituted a breach of licence conditions. No further offence was committed.
	Detailed data before 2010 on recalled offenders returned to custody are not held centrally in an electronic format. A manual trawl of prisoner files would be required to obtain this data; this would incur disproportionate cost.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Miscarriages of Justice

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  if he will make an assessment of the performance of the Miscarriages of Justice Support Service in assisting victims of miscarriages of justice to access appropriate medical support and counselling;
	(2)  what criteria the Miscarriages of Justice Support Service uses to determine the medical support and counselling required by service users; and who is responsible for making any medical diagnosis that is required;
	(3)  how many service users the Miscarriages of Justice Support Service helped to access appropriate counselling in each year since its inception.

Crispin Blunt: The National Offenders Management Services funds the Miscarriages of Justice Support Service organisation for a total of £150,000 per year. Access to appropriate health and counselling provision is central to the support provided by the organisation to all clients and cuts across all strands of their advice.
	Regarding psychiatric support, all staff are trained in mental health safety and access personal and professional support from Tavistock clinic. Some clients are referred following release for a free mental health assessment which is passed to their GP. The GP will make an onward referral for specialist support (including family therapy) as necessary. In the majority of cases the organisation is able to draw on probono support in relation to diagnosis via Dr Adrian Grounds, a leading forensic psychiatrist and member of the organisation's advisory group.
	Information since the organisation's inception is not available. However, I can confirm that the Miscarriages of Justice Support Service made 30 referrals in the last three years. In general terms the organisation is content that all clients who need or request an assessment are seen, mainly by Dr Adrian Grounds.

Sexual Offences: Criminal Injuries Compensation

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance is given to Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) staff on (a) handling claims by victims of sexual assault and (b) the weight to give to reports from experts in such cases; what training CICA caseworkers must complete before undertaking their role; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: CICA staff receive guidance to support them in handling all claims, including claims by victims of sexual assault, quickly, fairly, sensitively and courteously. In considering applications, due and proportionate weight is given to the range of evidence available. CICA caseworkers receive full training on the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme and its application.

Sexual Offences: Criminal Injuries Compensation

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people lodged with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (a) a claim, (b) a claim relating to a sexual assault, (c) a claim relating to rape of a female and (d) a claim relating to rape of a male in each of the last five years; what proportion of claims in each such category reached a resolution resulting in the (i) payment and (ii) non-payment of compensation; and what the average time taken from the initiation of a claim in each category and its (A) settlement or (B) discontinuance was in each such year.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme (the scheme), which is set by Parliament, compensates people based on the injuries they sustain not the crime of which they were a victim. The ‘tariff of injuries’, which is the part of the scheme that assigns specific injuries standard amounts of compensation, contains several injury descriptions that could apply to people who have been sexually assaulted, a subset of which are most likely to apply to victims of rape. The figures CICA are able to produce, which follow, are therefore based on claims where they paid awards for these injury descriptions.
	
		
			    Awards paid for injuries headed non-consensual vaginal and/or anal intercourse; or non-consensual penile penetration of the vagina and/or anus and/or mouth 
			  Total claims Awards paid for sexual assault injuries Female Male 
			 2010-11 61,292 4,581 2,004 323 
			 Average time to resolve(calendar days) 417 310 321 323 
			      
			 2009-10 65,445 4,067 1,619 266 
			 Average time to resolve 495 394 439 505 
			      
			 2008-09 57,753 4,378 1,667 268 
			 Average time to resolve 492 414 438 551 
			      
			 2007-08 53,290 3,679 1,246 201 
			 Average time to resolve 520 495 576 631 
			      
			 2006-07 60,861 3,035 883 157 
			 Average time to resolve 537 470 539 644